Athletic shoe



May 18, 1937. L. R. WA LT HER -2,080,680

. ATHLETIC SHOE Filed Feb. 28, 1936 fizz /Qatar ,Zawrzncev? Mali/Z6.

I r l 1 '1 Patented May 18, 1937 UNITED STATES ATHLETIC SHOE Lawrence R. Walther, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Witchell-Sheill 00., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Michigan Application February 28, 1936, Serial No. 66,200

3 Claims.

My invention relates to athletic shoes, and has to do more particularly with cleated shoes. My invention has particular applicability to football shoes, especially those with molded, conical cleats.

It has been the practice to arrange the cleats on athletic shoes more or less haphazardly. So far as I am aware, no one has proposed a really scientific placing of the cleats according to the positions of the bones of the foot, in order that the wearer might obtain the most efficient traction with the least tiring.

An object of my invention is to provide a cleated shoe of the class referred to wherein the cleats are so arranged that the player will have the maximum traction for running, pivoting, stopping, and the various other footwork required in a game such as football, and at the same time will be required to use less effort in such footwork than with previously known types of shoes.

A further object is to provide such a shoe wherein the cleats are so arranged with regard to the bones of the foot that most efficient traction is obtained while the foot is so supportedthat tiring is minimized.

Various other objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

My objects are accomplished by positioning a pair of cleats rather widely spaced under the toes of the foot and another pair spaced under the pad of the foot.

Referring to the drawing forming a part of this specification and illustrating a preferred embodiment of my invention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a shoe embodying my invention, and

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view thereof, portions of the foot being shown.

The drawing shows my invention applied to a 40 shoe comprising an upper l and sole I2. If desired, a spring steel plate (not shown) may be inserted in the sole.

The shoe is provided with heel cleats h, h, and with sole cleats s1, s2, s3 and $4. The cleats, in the embodiment shown, are preferably of the well known molded construction, of hard rubber, fiber, bakelite, or other suitable material, with embedded metal securing devices of known or other suitable type. However, my invention is c not limited to the molded cleat construction, al-

though it is of special value in connection with this type of cleat.

As shown clearly in Fig. 2, cleat s1 is preferably disposed between the great toe or first digit and the second toe or digit; cleat s2 is between the third and fourth digits; s3 is under the ball of the foot, preferably disposed opposite the great toe at the main bearing point of the foot, as when this part of the foot is used as a pivot when making a turn; and s4 is disposed opposite .93 under 5 the forward portion of the pad of the foot, approximately adjacent the bases of the fourth and fifth digits.

It should be understood that, while I have disclosed what I consider the preferred arrangel0 ment of cleats to obtain the maximum efficiency, this positioning may be varied somewhat and excellent results still obtained, Within the spirit of my invention.

The wide spacing of the cleats enables them to be self cleaning, since mud will not readily collect between them.

The two forward cleats s1 and s2 permit a very rapid start from the scrimmage line, at which time the player is usually poised well forward on his toes. In straight running, all of the cleats give the utmost support to the bones of the foot, being positioned under the bones which take the heaviest strain, while, at the same time offering minimum resistance to ground penetration. Cleats s3 and 84 are placed at the most advantageous positions for pivoting inwardly and outwardly, respectively.

I claim:

1. An athletic shoe having a cleat positioned approximately between the first and second digits of the foot, a second cleat positioned approximately between the third and fourth digits, a third cleat approximately in line with said first two cleats and adjacent the base of the fourth and fifth digits, and a fourth cleat under the ball of the foot adjacent the base of the great toe, said cleats being of molded frusto-conical construction.

' 2. An athletic shoe having a cleat positioned approximately between the first and second digits of the foot, a second cleat under the inner ball of the foot, a third cleat under the outer ball of the foot, said cleats being so positioned that lines drawn between the first and second and between 4.; the second and third cleats will substantially coincide with the principal weight bearing surfaces of the foot, and a fourth cleat forming substantially an isosceles triangle with the second and third cleats and positioned substantially similarly to the third cleat with respect to the outer edge of the sole, said fourth cleat functioning to balance the foot and prevent the same from tipping outwardly.

3. An athletic shoe having a cleat positioned ond and third cleats and positioned substantially similarly to the third cleat with respect to the outer edge of the sole, said fourth cleat functioning to balance the foot and. prevent the same from tipping outwardly, said cleats being substantially circular in cross-section so as to permit 5 pivotal movement.

LAWRENCE R. WALTHER. 

